Electric-light sign.



T. H. PEERY..

memo LIGHT SIGN.

APPLICATION, FILED FEB. 7, 19I6- Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

2 sums-sum 5 g g /0 5 l3 WITNESSES: 'nvmvron M ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 27, 1917 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- IT/VESSES:

' THTPflQVM BY. yg

M ATTORNEY THOMAS HERBERT PEERY, 0F BRUN'SVVIGK, MISSOURI,

ELECTRIC-LIGHT SIGN.

Application filed February 7, 1916.

Light Signs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrlc light signs 'of that class in which the letters are susceptible of being adjusted to produce difierent combinations of words or symbols, and my object is to produce a sign of this character in which the letters can be easily and quickly adjusted without disengaging them from the sign board.

WVith this general object in View, the invention consists in certain novel and peculiar features of construction and organization as hereinafter described and claimed; and in order that it may be fully understood reference is to be had to the accom-* panying drawing, in which-' v Figure 1, is a front view of an electric letter sign embodying my invention.

Fig. 2, is a vertical section taken on'the line II-II of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3, is an end view,

Fig. 4, is a vertical section,

Fig. 5, is a central horizontal section, and

Fig. 6, is a back view of the sign.

In the said drawings, 1 indicates the base of the sign, and 'said base is provided with a plurality of letter storage channels 2 and 3. These channels are continuous, except for the provision in each of a break, these breaks constituting what may be termed gateways 4 and 5, whereby the letters may be slipped into or out of either of said channels or from one to the other thereof. I

The channels describe substantially rectangular figures arranged one within the other and the inner one 3, is provided at its inner side with gateways 6 with which corresponding ends of a series of straight or display channels 7, communicate, these straight channels being filled with letters adjusted to form the desired sign.

The various channels are produced by securing upon the base parallel angle bars 8 spaced apart, said angle bars being provided at their front edges with flanges 9 which project toward each other to provide the channels with narrow slots 10 and to constitute shields for guarding against accidental Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented hllar. 27, 1917.. Serial No. 76,502.

dislocation of a letter from the respective channels, as hereinafter explained.

The frame for covering the storage channels and exposing the display channels comprises anupper portion 11 secured rigidly to the base and a lower portion 12 hinged as at 13 to the base, the portion 12 when in closed position as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, being secured by fastening devices 14. When it is desired to change the sign it is necessary to swing portion 12 down so as to nels 7, and the storage channels. If it is desired to simply slide an additional letter in place, it may be accomplished by opening a door 15 opposite the gateway 4.

The letters preferably consist of circular portions 16, reduced neck portions 17 and disk heads 18. The disk heads are provided with incandescent lamps 19 arranged to form different letters or the like. The special method of mounting the lampsor the wiring of them is unimportant and therefore is not detailed.

To equip the sign with letters of the type described, the portion 12 is swung down to inoperative position and then the letters one at a time are slipped through gateway 4 and into channel 2. When said channel is charged with as many letters as desired, the additional letters can be slipped through gateway 5 into channel 3 to charge the same.

gave direct access to the three display chan- If it is desired to display a sign consisting for instance of the words Drugs and can dies the operator will slide the letters around in the channels 2 and 3, and whenever a desired letter gets opposite either of the gateways 4 or 5', he will out said letter out of the channel 2 or 3; as the case may be and into the proper channel 7, so that in a short time the letters composing the words Drugs andcandies will be properly arranged and displayed.

After the adjustment of'the letters is effected, the hinged portion 12 will be secured in operative position. It will be apparent that in the adjustment of the letters as explained there can be no possible chance for loss or dislodgment of the letters as the diameter of the circular portions 16 exceeds the width of the slots 10. The portions 16 are made circular preferably to facilitate the adjustment of the letters in turning corners, and they are provided preferably with parallel grooves 20 at their rear ends for the 7 reception of parallel conductors 21 arranged ing purposes.

The special method of wiring the letters is unimportant, though it will be understood that the circular portions 16 of the letters will preferably consist of insulation material and be equipped in their channels 20 with contacts 23 which will be wired to the lamps, in any well known manner. It will also be understood that the individual lamps will be of ordinary type so that they will be screwed into or removed from position and thus permit of quick repair in the event that one or more lamps burn out.

From the above description it will be apparent that I have produced an electric light sign which can be quickly and easily changed when desired and which embodies the desirable features of simplicity, durability, cheapness and inexpensiveness of construction. The sign can be used indoors or outdoors and may be modified in form, proportion, detail construction and arrangement without departing from the principle of construction involved.

I claim:

1. A sign, comprising a base provided with a plurality of parallel channels and a plurality of continuous channels surrounding the first-named channels and provided with breaks or gateways, the innermost of the continuous channels communicating with one end of each of said first-named channels, in combination with letters comprising portions fitting slidingly in said channels or either of them, and heads provided with letters formed by properly arranged incandescent lamps; and means whereby electric circuits shall be completed through the lamps of the letters when the latter engage the first-named channels.

2. A sign, comprising a base provided with a plurality of parallel channels and a plurality of continuous channels surrounding the first-named channels and provided with breaks or gateways, the innermost of the continuous channels communicating with one end of each of said first-named channels, in combination with letters comprising portions fitting slidingly in said Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the channels or either of them, and heads provided with letters formed by properly arranged incandescent lamps, and a pair of conductors extending longitudinally in each of the first-named channels, and contacts secured to the letters and adapted when the latter occupy the first-named channels to engage said conductors and complete circuits through said letters.

3. A sign, comprising a base provided with a plurality of parallel channels and a. plurality of continuous channels surrounding the first-named channels and provided with breaks or gateways, the innermost of the continuous channels connnunicating with one end of each of said first-named channels, in combination with letters comprising portions fitting slidingly in said channels or either of them, and heads provided with letters formed by properly arranged incandescent lamps, a pair of conductors extending longitudinally in each of the first-named channels, contacts secured to the letters and adapted when the latter occupy the first-named channels to engage said conductors and complete circuits through said letters, and a frame secured to the base and covering the other channels and the letters engaging the same.

4:. A sign, comprising a base provided with a plurality of parallel channels and a plurality of continuous channels surround ing the first-named channels and provided with breaks or gateways, the innermost of the continuous channels communicating with one end of each of said first-named channels, in combination with letters comprising portions fitting slidingly in said channels or either of them, and heads provided with letters formed by properly arranged incandescent lamps, a pair of conductors extending longitudinally in each of the first-named channels, contacts secured to the letters and adapted when the latter occupy the first-named channels to engage said conductors and complete circuits through said letters, and a frame secured to the base and covering the other channels and the letters engaging the same; the said frame having a hinged portion to give access when opened to the display channels and the lower and end portions of the continuous channels for sign-changing purposes.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my sigma in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS HERBERT PEERY.

Witnesses:

Ronnn'r A. KELFIKER,

CHARLES F. LAMKIN.

ture,

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. 

